Consultant - UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Institute for Statistics (UIS)

Duty Station: Bangkok

Job Family: Programme Coordination

Type of contract : Affiliated personnel

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Bangkok Time) : 08-APR-2026

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

1.    Background Information
The Asia-Pacific region encompasses highly diverse education systems, ranging from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with unique structural characteristics to some of the world’s largest and most complex systems. Differences in demographic scale, institutional capacity, and data infrastructure require regional monitoring and capacity-building efforts that are both methodologically rigorous and context-responsive. In this context, the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), as the official statistical agency of UNESCO and custodian agency for Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) monitoring, supports Member States in strengthening education data systems and advancing evidence-based decision-making. Through its Asia-Pacific Regional Office, UIS undertakes regional data collection, compilation, analysis, and technical cooperation to assist countries in tracking progress towards national and regional benchmarks and translating evidence into policy action.
Within this mandate, the UIS Regional Office produces thematic analytical outputs and facilitates technical dialogue to strengthen national capacities in education data production, interpretation, and use. The preparation of regional and sub-regional education situation analysis report, the development of regional UIS Education Factsheets on priority themes, and the organization of regional technical workshops on key thematic areas within the SDG 4 monitoring framework form part of this broader regional SDG 4 monitoring and capacity-building agenda. To support the implementation of these activities, an individual consultant will be engaged to contribute to analytical work, preparation of outputs, and coordination of related technical initiatives.

OBJECTIVES AND TASKS

The overall objective of this consultancy is to support the UIS Asia-Pacific Regional Office in advancing regional SDG 4 monitoring and capacity-building efforts through the collection and compilation of internationally comparable data, analytical reporting drawing on UIS and related data sources, development and dissemination of thematic knowledge products, and technical coordination activities.
Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, and the direct supervision of the Senior Regional Advisor of UIS, the Individual Specialist shall undertake the following tasks:
A.    Preparation of Regional Education Situation Analysis Report
•    Support the development and implementation of the analytical framework of the report under the guidance of the Senior Regional Advisor;
•    Contribute to data collection, compilation, cleaning, validation, and statistical analysis in accordance with UIS standards and methodologies;
•    Assist in the application of relevant indicators and analytical approaches to assess trends, identify gaps, and highlight emerging issues across education sub-sectors;
•    Contribute to contextual and policy-related analysis to complement statistical findings, drawing on relevant policies, initiatives, and regional developments;
•    Draft assigned analytical sections and prepare corresponding tables, figures, and data visualizations, ensuring statistical accuracy and clarity of presentation in line with agreed reporting formats;
•    Support the overall finalization process of the report, including technical revisions, incorporation of feedback, coordination with design and production processes, and preparation of dissemination and communication materials, as required.

B.    Development of UIS Education Factsheets for the Asia-Pacific Region
•    Contribute to the conceptualization and analytical framing of thematic UIS Education Factsheets under the SDG 4 monitoring framework;
•    Compile and analyse relevant regional data from UIS and other recognized sources, as appropriate;
•    Draft concise, data-driven and policy-relevant content for dissemination to policymakers and stakeholders;
•    Support the preparation of data visualizations and presentation materials;
•    Contribute to internal technical review and finalization processes.

C.    Support to UIS Regional Technical Workshops
•    Contribute to the analytical and technical preparation of regional workshops on key thematic areas within the SDG 4 monitoring framework;
•    Prepare and coordinate technical and administrative documentation, including concept notes, agendas, invitation letters, nomination forms, and related materials;
•    Contribute to the preparation of background notes, presentations, and analytical briefs to support substantive discussions;
•    Coordinate logistical arrangements in collaboration with relevant teams and partners, including participant communication and workshop organization;
•    Provide on-site technical support during the workshops, including facilitation support, time management, and moderation functions as required;
•    Lead the preparation of post-workshop documentation, including summary reports, key takeaways, and follow-up materials such as certificates of participation.

In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the Individual Specialist is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES/OUTPUTS

The individual specialist is expected to deliver the following outputs in accordance with agreed timelines and quality standards:
A.    Regional Education Situation Analysis Report
1.    Compiled and validated datasets relevant to the regional education analysis;
2.    Annotated report outlines, including proposed analytical approaches and data analysis plans;
3.    Draft report, including statistical analysis, data visualizations, and annexes, submitted for internal and external review;
4.    Revised draft report incorporating technical feedback received;
5.    Final analytical contributions to the report, including finalized data annex;
6.    Contributions to the report finalization process, including supporting materials for publication and dissemination.

B.    UIS Education Factsheets for the Asia-Pacific Region
1.    Analytical outlines for each factsheet;
2.    Draft factsheets including data analysis, visualizations, and policy-relevant narrative;
3.    Revised and finalized factsheets incorporating internal technical feedback.

C.    Regional Technical Workshops
1.    Workshop technical and logistical materials, including concept notes, agendas, invitation letters, and nomination forms;
2.    Presentations and supporting analytical materials prepared for workshop implementation;
3.    Post-workshop documentation, including summary reports, key takeaways, and follow-up materials such as certificates of participation.

Timeframe
1 May 2026 – 31 March 2026

Location and Travel

The Individual Specialist will be based in Bangkok, Thailand and work within the premises of the UNESCO Bangkok office.

The Specialist may be required to travel on mission directly related to programmes or projects implementation during the assignment. The Specialist should travel economy class and received DSA at the standard rate (and which should be reduced, as necessary, when the number of days of DSA exceeds the limits stipulated in the table of rates published by ICSC). DSA is only payable to individuals carrying out assignments away from their usual place of residence or work. The Specialist is expected to make her/his own travel arrangements and should be provided with a lump sum to cover travel-related expenses in accordance with UNESCO rules and regulations. Travel-related expenses (e.g. the cost of tickets, terminal fares and DSA) must be fixed and agreed between the parties.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education
•    Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in the field of international development in education, economics, or other education study with a focus on quantitative analysis is required.
Work Experience
•    A minimum of three (3) years of experience in education data gathering, data processing and analysis for generating policy relevant documents and reports e.g. regional and sub regional education report is required 
•    Experience in the use of statistical software for data validation, processing and analysis, such as R, STATA or Python is required.
•    Good knowledge of MS Excel and other MS 365 applications is required.
•    Experience with analytics and data visualization applications (MS PowerBI, Qlik, Tableau or similar). 
Skills and competencies 
•    An aptitude for numbers and the ability to present statistics in tabular and graphic form are required.
•    Strong analytical skills and the ability to manage and analyze large data sets with a statistical package.
•    Demonstrated writing abilities including contribution to or (co-) authorship of technical papers and analytical reports, preferably in the field of education monitoring or a related area.
•    Good organizational skills are essential for the timely implementation of work plans, as well as an excellent team spirit and the ability to maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural environment.
Languages
•    Excellent knowledge of English. 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education
•    Advanced university degree in education, analytics, statistics or a related field is desirable. 
Work Experience
•    Experience with official statistics is desirable.
•    Experience in data processing is desirable.
•    Experience in working with the United Nations system or similar international organization is desirable.
•    Experience of working in education statistics.
•    Professional experience in a government or international organization.
•    Experience of working in a development context.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document) in ‘Employment History Form / My Documents’. Before uploading the document, at the end of the word document, please insert the extra pages with the following required information:

(1) an up-to-date curriculum vitae;

(2) a statement indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment;

(3) an indication of the approach you would adopt to carry out the assignment, including any inputs that may be required from UNESCO; (maximum 2, A4 pages);

(4) the overall cost of the assignment, expressed as propose fee in total and a monthly rate.

Note:  

• Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s) about the outcome or status of the selection process.
• Please submit your application through SuccessFactors. 

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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